WEBVTT DECISIONS MADE OVER THERE. >> WE WILL START WITH SOMEONE WHO IS OPPOSED TO THE BILL. HANNAH: IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY, FOR WEDNESDAY’S SUBCOMMITTEE HEARING. THE TOPIC, ADDING AN ABORTION AMENDMENT TO THE STATE’S CONSTITUTION. FOR ONE HOUR, THOSE PASSIONATE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE WENT BACK. >> I’M ASKING YOU TO REJECT SJR 9. >> AND FORTH. >> I WILL CONTINUE CHOOSING LIFE, AND I ASK THAT YOU DO THE SAME. HANNAH: EXPRESSING WHY THEY BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE A PROTECTED RIGHT IN IOWA. PUSH THIS RESOLUTION. GIVE THESE UNBORN BABIES A CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. >> ABORTION IS AN INTENSELY PERSONAL DECISION. PLEASE, DO NOT USE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO DICTATE PERSONAL BELIEFS. HANNAH: REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE FRUSTRATED THEIR RECENT ABORTION LAWS ARE NOT HOLDING UP IN COURT. JUST LAST MONTH, A POLK COUNTY JUDGE STRUCK DOWN THE SO-CALLED FETAL HEARTBEAT LAW. LAST YEAR, THE IOWA SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A THREE-DAY WAITING PERIOD. AND THOSE PRO-LIFE SUPPORTERS BELIEVE THIS AMENDMENT, WOULD GIVE THEIR LAWS A BETTER CHANCE. >> THE LIFE AMENDMENT WILL SAY TO ALL IOWANS, ’YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON A CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE INSTEAD OF JUST 5 JUDGES CHANGING THE CONSTITUTION. HANNAH: THE RESOLUTION PASSED OUT OF SUBCOMMITTEE TWO-TO-ONE. AND OPPONENTS OF IT ADMIT, IT’S AN UPHILL FIGHT. >> THEY HAVE THE VOTES, AND THEY HAVE THE GOVERNOR’S SUPPORT. SO I’M JUST HOPING THAT WE CAN CONVINCE ENOUGH OF THEIR COLLEAGUES TO SEE THE LIGHT AND NOT GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. HANNAH: BUT IT’S A FIGHT THEIR USED TO. >> IT’S EXHAUSTING FOR WOMEN. HANNAH: AND ONE, NO ONE SEEMS WILLING TO GIVE UP. >> I AM JUST GET

Pro- and anti-abortion advocates filled a standing room-only meeting Wednesday as lawmakers considered advancing an abortion amendment to the Iowa Constitution.A Senate subcommittee voted 2-1 to pass the resolution, which would change the constitution to say it does not protect the right to an abortion. Republican lawmakers said they are frustrated that Iowa’s recent abortion laws did not hold up in court. In January, a Polk County judge struck down the so-called fetal heartbeat law. The Iowa Supreme Court struck down a three-day waiting period in 2018.Anti-abortion supporters believe the newly proposed amendment would give their laws a better chance."The life amendment will say to all Iowans, 'You have a chance to vote on a constitutional change instead of just five judges changing the constitution,’” said Chuck Hurley, vice president of The Family Leader. Opponents of the proposal said stopping the amendment will be an uphill battle."They have the votes and they have the governor's support,” said Sen. Claire Celsi, D-West Des Moines. “So, I'm just hoping that we can convince enough of their colleagues to see the light and not go through this process."The resolution will move to a committee. If approved, it must pass through two consecutive legislatures before being put to a ballot for voters to decide.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Pro- and anti-abortion advocates filled a standing room-only meeting Wednesday as lawmakers considered advancing an abortion amendment to the Iowa Constitution.

A Senate subcommittee voted 2-1 to pass the resolution, which would change the constitution to say it does not protect the right to an abortion.

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Republican lawmakers said they are frustrated that Iowa’s recent abortion laws did not hold up in court.

In January, a Polk County judge struck down the so-called fetal heartbeat law. The Iowa Supreme Court struck down a three-day waiting period in 2018.

"The life amendment will say to all Iowans, 'You have a chance to vote on a constitutional change instead of just five judges changing the constitution,’” said Chuck Hurley, vice president of The Family Leader.

Opponents of the proposal said stopping the amendment will be an uphill battle.

"They have the votes and they have the governor's support,” said Sen. Claire Celsi, D-West Des Moines. “So, I'm just hoping that we can convince enough of their colleagues to see the light and not go through this process."

The resolution will move to a committee. If approved, it must pass through two consecutive legislatures before being put to a ballot for voters to decide.